A rescue puppy dubbed Picasso due to his wonky features has finally found a forever hope and is working as a therapy dog, after tragically losing his brother to a brain aneurysm.
The corgi pitbull-terrier mix – born with a misaligned jaw – had been dumped at a center for unwanted dogs in California when he was rescued.
Picked up alongside his brother, later named Pablo, they both faced euthanasia had it not been for Luvable Dog Rescue founder Liesl Wilhardt.
A rescue puppy dubbed Picasso due to his wonky features has finally found a forever hope and is working as a therapy dog, after tragically losing his brother to a brain aneurysm
Tragically just months after being saved, Pablo died of a brain aneurysm leaving Picasso, who is just over a year old, completely alone.
Now Picasso lives with Liesl and her nine other rescued dogs at her home where he is training to help those with disabilities.
Liesl – who founded Luvable Dog Rescue 18 years ago – said: ‘Picasso is a very special dog, with an exceptional temperament.
‘I just fell in love with him as soon as I saw him. He is training as a certified therapy dog and also serves as a Luvable Dog Rescue ambassador.
‘He lives in my home with nine other rescued dogs. Picasso is courageously going forward with his therapy and service dog training without his brother by his side for the first time in his life.
‘When Pablo died it was absolutely heartbreaking. They were so close. They had always been together.’
Picked up alongside his brother, later named Pablo, by Luvable Dog Rescue founder Liesl Wilhardt, they both faced euthanasia after no adopters came forward
Tragically just months after being saved, Pablo died of a brain aneurysm leaving Picasso, who is just over a year old, completely alone. Now Picasso lives with Liesl and her nine other rescued dogs at her home where he is training to help those with disabilities
Liesl – who founded Luvable Dog Rescue 18 years ago – said: ‘Picasso is a very special dog, with an exceptional temperament. I just fell in love with him as soon as I saw him. He is training as a certified therapy dog and also serves as a Luvable Dog Rescue ambassador’
When Pablo died suddenly, Liesl realised she had fallen in love with Picasso, and wanted to keep him as one of her own.
‘I decided to bring him to my home and integrate him into my pack of dogs. I couldn’t face the thought of him being alone.
‘He is a real survivor – he has survived his birth defect, living on the streets, the shelter and losing his brother. He has made new friends. This is his new family.’
Picasso was originally dropped off by breeders at the Porterville Animal Shelter near Fresno, where he was to be euthanized in a few weeks. Not long afterwards, his brother Pablo was dropped off too
Realising she had fallen in love with Picasso, she realised she wanted to keep him as one of her own. Now Picasso spends his days helping those with disabilities or ill as part of Liesl’s rescue programme
Explaining why her loveable pooch looks so unusual, Liesl said: ‘Picasso’s jaw just grew crooked. The vets say he isn’t in any pain from it. It can sometimes make his eating difficult but other than that he is fine.’
Explaining why her loveable pooch looks so unusual, she said: ‘Picasso’s jaw just grew crooked. The vets say he isn’t in any pain from it. It can sometimes make his eating difficult but other than that he is fine.’
Now Picasso spends his days helping those with disabilities or illnesses as part of Liesl’s rescue programme.
‘We are now working towards getting him officially trained as a rescue dog. He is working with people who are ill or who need help,’ she said.
‘I love this boy so much, and he’s had a hell of a rough life so far. I want the rest of his life to be amazing.’